The Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote will defend a motion in the plenary session on April 1st in which it requests that the Island Corporation agree to exercise the power of legislative initiative recognized in the Law of Island Cabildos and propose to the Parliament of the Canary Islands the approval of a moratorium that suspends the granting of new tourist licenses.
The initiative arises from the uncontrolled growth of tourist pressure on the island, as evidenced by the data from the study on the tourist carrying capacity of Lanzarote prepared by Gaia Consultores. This report, presented publicly in May 2023 under the presidency of María Dolores Corujo, has shown that Lanzarote has far exceeded its sustainability limits.
21% more tourists in two years
“The equivalent tourist population has grown by 21% in just two years. That is more than 86,000 people a day who, in equivalent terms, are residing on the island, with the consequent pressure on our resources, infrastructure and territory,” explained the socialist spokesperson, Ariagona González.
The PSOE motion recalls that, despite the warnings that tried to discredit the report, the arrival of visitors has continued to grow and there has been no rejection in the issuing markets.
“Far from generating alarm, what the report has generated is an opportunity for debate, although some have tried to silence it. But the data is clear, objective, and comes from official sources,” González stressed.
The PSOE insists that the current situation requires immediate and forceful measures. The socialist spokesperson has lamented that the Cabildo government group, headed by Oswaldo Betancort, is hiding behind alleged legal limitations in order not to adopt an agreement to suspend licenses.
“If they don't dare to assume their responsibility, let them allow Parliament to act. We demand that the Cabildo exercise its right to promote a bill that establishes a moratorium for new tourist facilities and extensions, and that an end be put to uncontrolled growth,” González stated.
Likewise, the motion recalls that the preparation of the new Island Planning Plan cannot be used as an excuse for not making decisions. “We know that plans take years, that they can be challenged and that, in the meantime, licenses continue to be granted that will condition the future of the territory,” concluded the socialist spokesperson.
